Uterine artery embolization combined with percutaneous microwave ablation for the treatment of prolapsed uterine submucosal leiomyoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Vaginal myomectomy is the most common form of radical treatment for prolapsed submucosal leiomyoma and is typically performed under general anesthesia.However,an alternative treatment approach is needed for patients who cannot tolerate general anesthesia.We describe a case with such a patient who was successfully treated via a minimally invasive method under local anesthesia.CASE SUMMARY A 46-year-old female suffered from abnormal uterine bleeding,severe anemia,and a reduced quality of life attributed to a massive prolapsed submucosal leiomyoma.She could not tolerate general anesthesia due to a congenital thoracic malformation and cardiopulmonary insufficiency.A new individualized combined treatment,consisting uterine artery embolization(UAE),percutaneous microwave ablation(PMWA)of the pedicle and the endometrium,and transvaginal removal of the leiomyoma by twisting,was performed.The lesion was completely removed successfully under local anesthesia without any major complications.The postoperative follow-up showed complete symptom relief and a significant improvement in the quality of life.CONCLUSION UAE combined with PMWA can be performed under local anesthesia and is a promising alternative treatment for patients who cannot tolerate general anesthesia.

Evaluation of short-and medium-term efficacy and complications of ultrasound-guided ablation for small liver cancer

BACKGROUND To ensure clinical efficacy and prolong patient survival,treatments such as surgery and microwave ablation(MWA)are used for early liver cancer.MWA is preferred because it effectively preserves the normal liver tissue and causes transient coagulation necrosis of local liver tumor cells.However,due to technical limitations,the cancerous liver tissue cannot be completely ablated;therefore,the probability of local tumor recurrence is high.AIM To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous MWA in the treatment of small liver cancer.METHODS A total of 118 patients treated for small liver cancer in The Central Hospital of Yongzhou from January 2018 to April 2019 were selected.Sixty-six patients received ultrasound-guided percutaneous MWA(MWA group)and 52 received laparoscopic surgery(laparoscope group).The operation time,blood loss,hospital stay,and medical expenses of both groups were statistically analyzed.Serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),total bilirubin(TBIL),albumin(ALB),alpha fetal protein(AFP),carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),and peripheral blood regulatory T lymphocytes(Treg)levels were evaluated pre-and post-operatively.The cross-sectional area of tumors measured before and after ablation was analyzed statistically;the therapeutic effect was compared between both groups in terms of surgical complications,2-year progression-free survival rate,and overall survival rate.RESULTS The operation time,blood loss,hospital stay,and medical expenses in the MWA group were lower than those of the laparoscope group,and the differences were significant(P<0.05);these parameters,and ALT,AST,TBIL,and ALB levels were compared preoperatively between both groups,and there was no significance(P>0.05).The operation time,blood loss,hospital stay,and medical expenses for 2 d and 1 wk after surgery,the ALT and AST of the MWA group were lower than those of the laparoscope group,and the difference was significant(P<0.05).The operation time,blood loss,hospital stay,and medical expenses,and serum AFP,CEA,and Treg levels were measured preoperatively and 4 and 8 wk postoperatively,and there were no significant differences between the two groups(P>0.05).Compared with preoperative levels,serum AFP,CEA,and Treg levels in both groups were decreased(P<0.05).The lesion in the MWA group had a maximum area of 4.86±0.90 cm2,1.24±0.57 cm2,and 0.31±0.11 cm2 preoperatively,1 and 3 mo postoperatively,respectively.Fifty-eight of them achieved complete response and eight achieved a partial response.After 2 years of followup,the progression-free and overall survival rates in the MWA group were 37.88%and 66.67%,respectively,compared with 44.23%and 76.92%in the laparoscope group,with no significant difference(P>0.05).CONCLUSION The effects of ultrasound-guided percutaneous MWA in the treatment of small liver cancer are similar to those of laparoscopic surgery.However,ablation causes less trauma and liver dysfunction.

Advances in the interventional therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma originating from the caudate lobe

Hepatocellular carcinoma originating from the caudate lobe, also known as segment I hepatocellular carcinoma, is difficult to treat because of its special location, complex vascular supply, and the proximity of important vessels,bile ducts, and organs. This research is conducted to examine the efficacy and safety of interventional therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma in the caudate lobe.Conclusion: Superselective chemoembolization and ablation techniques for the treatment of caudate lobe hepatocellular carcinoma still need to be improved. The combination of multiple interventional methods and the application of multiple imaging techniques can improve the effectiveness and safety of interventional therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma in the caudate lobe. Multidisciplinary treatment is also essential to improve the prognosis of patients with caudate lobe hepatocellular carcinoma.